Liquid dispensing comb



Dec. 24, 1957 R, HQNlG LIQUID DISPENSING coMB 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 Hmm z m vVi mm /IO HUH s@ INVENTOR.

Dec. 24, 1957 R. HONIG LIQUID DISPENSING OMB Filed Dec. 14. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l" with rf' s 60m 55% lllmh Il n y 52 INVENTOR. @654V How/G United states Patent O 2,817,343 LIQUID DISPENSING COMB Robert Honig, New York, N. Y. Application December 14, 1956, Serial No. 628,407 6 Claims. (Cl. 132-147) This invention relates to an improved comb assembly adapted to dispense liquid in conjunction with the combing of the hair.

It is well known that people apply aqueous dye solutions or aqueous tinting solutions to their hair at frequent intervals. For example, frequently a woman makes approximately weekly applications of an aqueous tinting solution to her hair. Many people dye their hair at less frequent intervals.

An important object of this invention is to provide improved means of applying the tinting or dying or other solution to the hair neatly and evenly, without any of the mess or excess dripping associated with prior devices and methods for tinting or dying the hair.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved device which may be used both as a comb and as a means for simultaneously applying liquid to the hair.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved comb having associated therewith a receptacle containing a sponge which is adapted to be saturated with liquid, and having manual means for supplying selected amounts of liquid from said sponge to the comb teeth while the hair is being combed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide an assembly having only three components, a comb plate, a pressure plate and a sponge. As an important feature of the invention, the pressure plate is provided with anges such that when it is assembled with the comb plate, it provides in conjunction therewith a receptacle having an open top and a bottom slot. Furthermore, in the complete assembly, the pressure plate is movable toward and away from the comb plate, and such movements regulate the size of the slot. As a further important feature of the invention, the sponge, which is intended to be saturated with the tinting, dying or other solution, serves as a structural part of the assembly and serves normally to hold the pressure plate spaced away from the comb plate. By manually pressing the pressure plate toward the comb plate, the sponge may be compressed and liquid ejected from the receptacle through the slot. The comb plate is provided with teeth adjacent the slot. Accordingly, by combing the hair and at the same time squeezing the pressure plate, liquid may be applied evenly and in selected amounts to the hair.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a comb assembly of the above described type which is economical and easy to manufacture and assemble and from which the sponge may be readily removed for cleaning purposes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of my improved comb. showing it fully assembled.

2,817,343 Patented Dec. 24, 7

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the improved comb, but showing the sponge removed therefrom. t

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the comb.

Fig. 4 is an exploded rear elevation of my improved comb.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the pressure plate in its normal, unexed condition.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the pressure plate exed so as to squeeze the sponge and thereby force drops of liquid from the sponge to the teeth of the comb. t

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7--7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of a second embodiment of the comb, showing .it fully assembled.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the pressure plate according to the second embodiment.`

First embodiment (Figs. I-7) Upon reference to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that my improved comb comprises comb plate 10, pressure plate 11 and sponge 12. Plates 10 and 11 are optionally each formed from a unitary piece of plastic. Plate 11 is optionally and preferably somewhat exible and resilient. Sponge 12 is optionally an artificial sponge made of cellulose or polyurethane foam, but may be made of any other suitable material.

Said comb plate 10 includes an upper generally reotangular portion 13 having side edges 13a. The upper portion of said plate portion 13 is provided with laterally extending wings 14. The side edges 14a of said wings 14 are inclined downwardly outwardly so that they serve as cam edges for a purpose to be described below. The lower edges 14b of said wings 14 extend laterally outwardly from the side edges 13a.

Comb plate 10 also includes a lower comb portion 15 connecting with plate portion 13. Comb 15 is vwider than plate portion 13 to define laterally outwardly extending shoulders 15a at their junction. ventional teeth 16 which may be of any suitable type.

The pressure plate 11 is optionally substantially rectangular in shape and has parallel upper and loweredges 11a and 1lb. Preferably, as is clearly shown in a number tionally, said flanges 17 are downwardly tapered, and said plate 11 is downwardly rearwardly inclined toward the flanges 18. This is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5. In other words, the spacing between plate 11 and the flanges 11i is greater at the top of plate 11 of plate 11.

Said plate 11 also has a bottom flange 19 which extends rearwardly from the bottom edge 11b thereof. The side edges of said flange 19 are optionally located slightly inwardly of the side anges 17. Preferably, the rear edge 19a of :flange 19 is located rearwardly of and spaced from anges 18 by an amount somewhat greater than the thickness of comb plate portion 13. This is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7.

The sponge 12 is optionally generally rectangular in` shape and of generally uniform thickness.

Assembly of the comb Said comb 1.5 has con-` flanges 17, and said anges 17 connect at their rear edges with further inturned flanges: 18. Op-A than at the bottom 1 4 is normally greater than the distance between the plate side Iianges 17. Accordingly, during the downward movement of plate 11 relative toplate 10, the flanges 17 are spread by the wing cam edges 14a until plate 11 reaches a-position below the wings 14. In this position, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the resiliency of the material of which plate 11 is formed returns flanges 17 to their normal positions in which they are located laterally inwardly of the wing cam edges 14a. In this assembled position of plate- 11 and plate 10, the :flanges 17 optionally frictionally abut the side edges 13a of plate 10, as shown in Fig. 7. The upper edges of flanges 17 optionally frict-ionally abut-the lower wing edges 14h, and the lower edges of- `flanges 17 optionally frictionally abut the comb shoulder edges 15a. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

It will be apparent from theforegoing, that the assembly ofthe two plates -10 and 11 of the comb is extremely simple. Furthermore, once assembled, plate 11 is substantially immovable vertically and laterally` relative to plate 10, but is movable-toward and `away from plate 10. The interior space or cavity between plates 10 and 11 is designated by the reference numeral 20. This cavity is completely open at the top `and is partially closed by bottom liange 19. i i

Arrow 21 in Fig. 2 indicates the direction of movement of sponge 12 relative to the assembled plates 10 and 11, in order to complete the assembly of the device. Sponge 12 is inserted into cavity 20 through the open top thereof. Optionally, sponge 12 extends a major portion of the distance between the flanges 17 which bound the sides of cavity 2h. Optionally, lalso, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, sponge 12 extends almost the entire height of cavity 20.

kIt will bev apparent that sponge 12 serves asa structural part of the complete assembly. As shown in Fig. 5, the thickness of sponge 12 is sutiiciently great so that it lits frictionally between plate 11 and plate portion 13 at the lower end of cavity 20, sponge 12 being somewhat compressed in that region. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the resiliency of sponge 12 normally maintains flanges 18 in substantial abutment with the rear face of plate portion 13, and maintains rear iiange edge 19a spaced from the' front face of plate portion 13. This defines a lateral bottom slot 22 in cavity 20 extending substantially the width thereof between ilange edge 19a and plate portion 13.

As is also shown in Fig. 5, the thickness of sponge 12 is less than the spacing between plate 11 Iand plate portion 13 at the upper portion of cavity 20, and accordingly, the upper portion of sponge 12 is normally uncompressed.

Operatz'on of the comb In using the comb, the front and rear faces thereof may be grasped between fingers 23 and 24 respectively, inthe manner shown in Fig. 6, and the teeth 16 may be used in the usual manner to comb the hair. While Fig. 6 shows pressure plate 11 flexed, it will be apparent that bymaking the material of plate 11 sufliciently strong and by grasping the comb suiiiciently loosely, the teeth 16 may be-pulled through the hair without flexing plate 11, if desired.

Sponge 12 may be wet with water, with an aqueous dye solution, with an aqueous tinting solution, or with any other desired solution, before or after assembling it inrthe comb. Preferably, solution is applied to sponge 12 through the' open top of cavity 20 after sponge 12 has been placed therein. When it is desired to apply some of the solution of sponge 12 to the hair, pressure is exerted byriingers 23 and 24 so as to press plate 11 toward plate portion 13, intermediate the upper and lower Yedges of plate 11. vAs a result of this manipulation, platepllvis moved toward plate portion 13 `and franges 1S are moved rearwardly away from plate portion 13. This reduces the-size of slot, 22 and also squeezes liquid from sponge it is also exed rearwardly from its normal planar conditionv to the concave shape of Fig. 6, whereby pressure is exerted on sponge 12 along almost the entire height thereof. This insures maximum use of the liquid content of sponge 12. As shown in Fig. 6, drops of liquid 25 flow through the reduced slot 22 downwardly between the teeth 16 and onto the hair.

The reduction in size of slot 22, as the result of squeezing of plate 11, makes it possible for the liquid to iiow downwardly relatively evenly from sponge 12, no matter how hard the pressure upon sponge A12. In` other words, initially, with a largegslot and with a fully saturated sponge,` only a small pressure on plate 11 Ais needed to force the drops ofliquid 25'downwardly1through slot 22. As some of the liquid in Sponge 12 is used up it is necessary to squeeze plate 11 harder. However, at the same time, the size of slot 22 is reduced, so that despite the greater pressure, the ow of liquid remains relatively steady. i

Sponge 12 vserves-structurally -to maintain the normally upwardly outwardly inclined condition of plate 11 relativeto pl-ate portion 13. This relative-inclined condition-of the two plates, together with the iiexibility of plate 11, makes itpossible to apply pressure successively to .irst theA lower, then the centraland nally thetop part of sponge 12.

In addition, in the event that sponge 12. should be stored in cavity20. and shouldbecome hard and hrm-as the result ofltheevaporation'of, all of theliquid therefrom because of the. gap between the sponge andthe cavity Wall 11atthe top of cavity. 20, itis-possible to insertvthe fingers into the cavity.andmanipulatethe -sponge sol as to tend to free it.romitsslghtIyf wedged condition at thev bottom of .cavity- A20.

AThemanr1er..of useV ofthe improved-comb assembly will be readily apparent. The comb teeth may be-drawn through the-.hairsinthe usual manner, and simultaneously thenp'ressure platei-may4 besqueezed soas to eject liquid through slot-22 ontothel hair. It will be apparent that by varying-themannerin which the comb is drawn to the hair and byvarying the. pressure which` is appliedto plate 11, -theoper-ator can lfully control the manner -in which-liquid-is lapplied .to the-hair.

Second embodiment (Figs. 8 9) Comb plate50 of thesecondembodiment hasan upper portion S3 and lower comb portion 55v and is quite similar tocomb ,plateltl of. .the first embodiment. The only dilerence is that the upper lateral wings are omitted in thesecondembodiment. .Instead, an elongated handle. 61 extendslaterally outwardly from one side edge of `plate portion. 53.at `the .top thereof. Comb` portion 57 lwith teeth 561s much the same as comb portion 15 ofthe .tirst embodiment, except that the shouldersSSa 'are less pronouncedthan shoulders 15a.

Pressureplate S1,v of the. secondembodiment has Vside flanges 2,57, rrear V`inwardly turned-terminal flanges 58 andbottornzfflange 59. These parts are substantially the .same` as thecorresponding parts ofthe iirst embodiment. ln. addition,l a. button-shaped linger piece 60 extends .laterally outwardly from a sideedge of plate S1, and. connectsto plate Sdby ashort neck-60a- Finger piece 6).is locatedat the top. of plate S1 and is preferably on thesameside. o-f the comb as handle 61.

Sponge 52 is-fthe same vassponge12 of the iirstembodiment.

`In the .assemblyofthe second embodiment, pressure plate 51 is moved upwardly relative to comb-plate 50, with flanges 57 moving rictionally-agai-nst -the side edges of :ouib..55` and flexing for the-necessary clearance. In. the iinal assembly, flanges 57-are-located above the stop shoulders 55o and frictionally-Yabnt thesideedges 0f plate 51. Handle 61 serves as an upperstop of-movement of plate; 51. relative to plate. 50.

In use, therdevice is. he1d by..hand le;.61. .When .the

operator wishes to squeeze sponge 52, finger piece 60 is pressed rearwardly. Optionally, plate 51 is somewhat stiffer than plate 11, to make certain that pressure on finger piece 60 will move the whole plate 51 relatively evenly.

It will be apparent that the second embodiment is similar in principle to the irst embodiment, but the handle 61 and iinger piece 60 may be preferred by some as affording somewhat greater ease of manipulation.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein, without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A dispensing comb assembly comprising a comb plate adapted to be held in a generally upright position and having comb teeth at the bottom thereof, said comb plate having laterally outwardly extending shoulders adjacent the top thereof and also a second set of laterally extending shoulders slightly above the comb teeth, a pressure plate positioned in front of and in opposing relationship to said comb plate and positioned above said comb teeth, said pressure plate having side rearwardly extending flanges which extend slidably frictionally past the side edges of said comb plate and between the respective side shoulders thereof, said side flanges having terminal inturned iianges located behind said comb plate, said pressure plate also having a bottom rearwardly extending ange, and a compressible and resilient sponge disposed within the cavity defined by said pressure plate, said bottom ange and said comb plate, said sponge extending frictionally between said pressure plate and said comb plate and normally holding said bottom flange spaced from said comb plate to deiine a bottom cavity slot, said pressure plate being adapted to be moved rearwardly relative to said comb plate to compress said sponge and force liquid from the wet sponge out of said slot.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, said pressure plate being normally inclined upwardly forwardly from said comb plate, the upper portion of said sponge being normally spaced from said pressure plate.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, said pressure plate being exible and resilient so that by pressing said pressure plate toward said comb plate, the upper portion of said sponge may be brought under compression before the lower portion of the sponge is subjected to further compression.

4. A dispensing comb assembly comprising a receptacle having a top opening and a bottom slot and having at least one flexible and resilient wall, a comb depending from said receptacle adjacent said slot, and a sponge adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle through the top opening thereof, said sponge being compressible and resilient and bearing friction-ally against said flexible and resilient wall, said wall being adapted to be iiexed against said sponge so as to compress same and force liquid from said sponge when wet through said slot.

5. A dispensing comb assembly comprising a comb plate adapted to be held in a generally upright position and having comb teeth at the bottom thereof, a pressure plate positioned in front of and in opposing relationship to said comb plate and positioned above said comb teeth, said pressure plate having side rearwardly extending flanges which extend slidably past the side edges of said comb plate, said side flanges having terminal inturned flanges located behind said comb plate, said pressure plate `also having a bottom rearwardly extending flange, and a compressible and resilient sponge disposed within the cavity defined by said pressure plate, said bottom flange and said comb plate, said sponge extending frictionally between said pressure plate and said comb plate and normally holding said comb plate to dene a bottom cavity slot, said pressure plate being adapted to be moved rearwardly relative to said comb plate to compress said sponge and force liquid from the wet sponge out of said slot.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, said comb plate having a handle extending laterally outwardly from one of its side edges above said pressure plate, said pressure plate having a finger piece extending laterally outwardly therefrom on the same side as said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,397,321 Leach Mar. 26, 1946 2,461,789 Usai Feb. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 39,990 France Dec. 28, 1931 

